maybe someone like paul ryan to come to the front to be the voice of the gop? >> i think everyone loves the sort of fantasy there will be someone on their side to will so captivate the public that he or she will outshine the president of the united states. it is just not going to happen. the president has an enormous microphone. he has the ability to capture enormous amounts of attention. republicans need to remember on these issues, how much the government spends, and how much it taxes, they have the electorate behind them. the conservatives are united the independents are really fiscally conservative. this is a bloc that controls america and they need to simply find a strategy, i think this is a good one, to have the debate about that spending issue. ashley: talking about spending, what one issue do you think is one that the republicans should really look in on? is it entitlement reform, health care costs? what is it that they should really zero in on? >> well, in the end the numbers are all driven by entitlements. you can make enormous progress on defense. y